Did you know that allergic rhinitis has worsened due to house dust mites?
My family also suffers a lot because of rhinitis...
It seems that resolving the fundamental cause should come first...
I often wash my pillowcase, but...
I need to wash the bedding again.
Since the children are still young, they live on foam mats, so they don't use the carpet..
Oh~ Carpets and fabric sofas are for those who are diligent ㅠㅠ...
Washing with water over 55 degrees once a week...
It's quite a task to worry about this too.. Still, my son's rhinitis has worsened again..
I need to wash all the bedding...
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Increase in the proportion of house dust mite causes
Professor Kim Ji-hee's team from Seoul Asan Medical Center's ENT Department has been active from the 1990s to the 2010s.
Compared and analyzed the characteristics of domestic allergic rhinitis patients over the past 20 years.
In the 1990s (1994) and the 2010s (2010–2014), in skin prick tests used to diagnose allergic rhinitis
We investigated the allergenic substances (antigens) for 1,447 patients with positive results and 3,388 patients.
As a result, patients who have the allergy antigen of a type of house dust mite called Dermatophagoides farinae
It increased from about 63% to 73%.
The proportion of people with house dust mite antigens has significantly increased in recent years compared to 20 years ago.
Patients with the allergen of the major house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, account for approximately 63% to 73%.
The prevalence of large leg dust mites has increased from approximately 67% to 70%.
Additionally, the proportion of patients caused by indoor allergens such as cockroaches, yeast mold, and other indoor dust mites.
It increased by more than three times.
Professor Kim Ji-hee said, "Typically, allergy rhinitis patients do not react to just one allergen but respond to multiple allergens."
In addition to various types of house dust mites, cockroaches, yeast molds, etc.
He said that allergic reactions can occur simultaneously.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis have also changed over the past 20 years.
The percentage of patients complaining of worsening symptoms such as "itchy eyes and nose" due to indoor allergens has increased from about 32% to 41% recently.
Additionally, male patients were found to be more numerous than female patients, increasing from 1.41 times in the 1990s to 1.78 times in the 2010s.
The proportion of male patients has increased relatively more.
In the 1990s, the highest number of allergy rhinitis patients were teenagers, and the number of patients decreased as age increased.
In the 2010s, patients in their 20s were the most numerous, followed by those in their teens and those in their 50s.
Increase in house dust mite causes due to the widespread indoor living
The reason why house dust mites have become more 'powerful' is because indoor living has become more common.
Professor Kim Ji-hee said, "Compared to the past, with increased industrialization and urbanization, the indoor lifestyle has become more common, and"
As a result, environments conducive to house dust mites, such as carpets, fabric sofas, and beds, have increased.
It appears that the allergens or symptoms of allergic rhinitis patients have changed.
How should allergy rhinitis patients live in a situation where the time spent at home has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Professor Kim Ji-hee said, "Cleaning and laundry are the most important."
Professor Kim says, "Basically, patients are advised not to use futons or carpets."
Because it is a place where house dust mites thrive.
Bedding is also a major habitat for house dust mites.
It is generally known that household bedding is inhabited by more than 10,000 house dust mites.
The Korean Atopic Dermatitis Society suggests ways to prevent dust mites from occurring.
Maintain indoor temperature at 20°C and humidity below 50%.
Refrain from using carpets, sofas, blankets, and similar items.
It is recommended to regularly wipe furniture and floors with a damp cloth.
To eliminate existing house dust mites, wash bedding at a temperature of over 55°C once a week.
House dust mites are eradicated, and dead bodies or excretions are also eliminated.
It is also important to change pillowcases frequently.
A research team from North Carolina State University in the United States has among bedding items
There has been a study published indicating that pillows have the highest amount of house dust mites.
Medication therapy if symptoms are severe
If you are suffering from a runny nose, nasal congestion, or sneezing along with indoor environment improvements, you may seek help from medication.
Professor Kim Ji-hee said, "Allergic rhinitis symptoms worsen when the weather becomes dry during seasonal changes."
He said that when taking the medication at this time, 70 to 80% of patients experience symptom improvement.
The medication includes a nasal spray steroid and antihistamines.
Depending on the improvement of symptoms, you should discuss the medication treatment method and duration with your doctor.
For those who do not respond to these medications, immunotherapy is administered.
A treatment that continuously exposes the patient to small amounts of an allergen to reduce allergic reactions.
About 60 to 70% of patients see results after approximately one year of treatment.
Source: https://health.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/10/13/2020101302157.html